Imperial still in limbo

City of Sydney councillors deferred making a decision on the fate of the Imperial Hotel’s application for increased patron numbers and a roof-top stiletto on Monday.

Instead they requested a tour of the venue and clarification on how much security the venue would offer patrons and local residents.

Several neighbouring residents told councillors of noise, vomiting, property damage and fears of alcohol-related violence that suddenly stopped 12 months ago when the gay-iconic hotel closed for renovations.

However, ACON’s fundraising manager and Bingay coordinator David Wilkins said the Imperial helped with fundraising for important community and outreach work.

The gay and lesbian community has extremely few venues to socialise, entertain and fundraise, only one in the inner-west. It needs to remain viable because if it doesn’t we lose again, Wilkins said.

He said community support was evident by the 1,600 people who joined the Save the Imperial Hotel Facebook group in just a few days.

Council staff have recommended a compromise between the concerns of local residents and Imperial owner Shadd Danesi’s desired 788 patrons in the entertainment licensed areas.

We recognise the importance of the venue to the gay community, that’s not in doubt, council officer Giovanni Cirillo said.

It’s about intensity of use, and this figure of 518 represents a compromise using the cautionary principle. You may well be able to accommodate 788 people inside, but that many leaving tends to wake people up.

He added that council could not restrict the number of people allowed into the Imperial’s front bar, which can serve alcohol but not entertainment.

Liberal councillor Shayne Mallard called on the council to test legal waters and approve the compromise position on condition it be relinquished if the venue ceases to primarily cater to the gay and lesbian community.

The giant rooftop stiletto was rejected because it was considered signage, not art, and was not even referred to the art advisory panel for consideration.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore expressed disappointment that City officers refused to even consider the footwear.

I’m attracted to the shoe. I remember going down Oxford St in a shoe myself one Mardi Gras parade, Moore said.

I would have liked to hear from the art advisory panel, and that’s a personal view, not a recommendation. Maybe the owner can come back with something a bit more -˜artistic’.

ACON’s Wilkins, when pushed on the stiletto issue, said it was a cute idea, but ugly.

It would ruin the art deco design, and potentially it could draw violence into the area. -˜Poofters here, come bash them’, he said.

Councillors will vote on the application on Monday 30 June.